With a 9-14 record (3rd worst in baseball) the calls for Joe Torre’s job are gaining momentum among the trigger happy Yankee fans and pundits. The truth of the matter is that Joe Torre may be too laid back and may even be burned out but certainly can’t be assigned the blame for the team’s lackluster start. Despite having the best hitting lineup in baseball (and a $185 million payroll) the issue lie squarely on the shoulders of the pitching staff, and possible the General Manager who assembled the hurlers.The NY Yankees have a 5.02 team ERA (4th worst in baseball) and a starting pitching staff that can’t get out of the 4th inning consistently. The bullpen is on track to pitch the most innings ever in the history of the game. The lack of starting pitching has put so much stress on a decent bullpen that the relievers are tired, overworked and look worse than they are. If anything, the blame could be directed at Brian Cashman who assembled a fragile (Carl Pavano), old (Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina), and not very talented (Kei Igawa) starting staff that has been incapable of giving Joe Torre and Ron Guidry enough quality innings to help the Yankees win games.
Yankee nation should allow Joe Torre, with his 11 outstanding seasons, including four World Championships and two World Series losses, to ride off into the sunset and retire after the season. If anyone can turn the season around, it is Torre with his calm leadership. Besides, even if the Yankees were to fire Torre, who would replace him? The leading candidates are Don Mattingly, who could use another year as Bench Coach, and Joe Girardi, who is currently a broadcaster, and has only one year of managing under his belt.
2 comments:
Fire Cashman. Fire Torre. Get rid of them all. The Yanks need to start over and get back to the hungry and scrappy team ways of 1996.
Torre should be allowed to ride off into the sunset, he has certaily earned it. But the team needs to move on after this year. No more extensions for Torre.
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